Paediatric anaesthesia
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Feb 2025
Multicenter Study Observational StudyClinical Impact of Specific Extraocular Muscle Manipulation and the Oculocardiac Reflex on Postoperative Vomiting in Pediatric Strabismus Surgery: A Multicenter, Observational Study.
Strabismus surgery, which is commonly performed in children, poses a high risk of postoperative vomiting. The current anesthesia guidelines for the prevention of postoperative vomiting in children are based on heterogeneous populations involving different types of surgery, and risk factors for postoperative vomiting in, specifically, the pediatric strabismus surgery population are unclear. Moreover, the effects of manipulating the deeply attached extraocular muscles and the oculocardiac reflex on this risk remain inconclusive. ⋯ Stronger preventive measures against postoperative vomiting are recommended in healthy children undergoing strabismus surgery with inferior oblique muscle manipulation. Additionally, inferior oblique muscle manipulation should be considered a potential confounder in future related studies. However, the oculocardiac reflex was not associated with postoperative vomiting in pediatric strabismus surgery.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Feb 2025
ReviewOptimizing the anesthetic care of patients with aromatic l-amino acid decarboxylase deficiency.
Aromatic l-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) deficiency is a rare autosomal recessive disorder that results in a lack of the monoamine neurotransmitters dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, and epinephrine. Patients present with a wide spectrum of symptoms, including motor and autonomic dysfunction, hypotonia, and developmental delay, often before the age of one. Until recently, treatment options were limited to symptom control, but the recent approval of the first gene therapy for AADC deficiency in Europe and the UK has provided an alternative to treating symptoms for this disease. ⋯ Intraoperatively, utmost care must be taken to protect the skin, maintain body temperature, and to prepare for inotropic and/or glycemic support as needed. Postoperative intensive care management is necessary for consideration of postoperative extubation and provision of supportive care. With careful planning, preparation, and vigilance, patients with AADC deficiency can safely undergo anesthesia.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Feb 2025
Multicenter StudyProtocol development and feasibility of the PEACH in Asia study: A pilot study on PEri-anesthetic morbidity in CHildren in Asia.
Comprehensive data on pediatric anesthesia outcomes, particularly severe critical events (SCEs), are scarce in Asia. This highlights the need for standardized research to assess anesthesia safety and quality in the diverse settings. ⋯ The PEACH in Asia pilot study successfully validated a protocol for investigating SCEs in pediatric anesthesia across Asia. Addressing the challenges identified in the pilot study will be crucial for generating robust data to improve pediatric anesthesia safety in the region. Key issues to address include improving data collection methods, resolving e-CRF technical difficulties, and ensuring consistent institutional support.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Feb 2025
Multicenter StudyCaudal block, high flow oxygen insufflation and dexmedetomidine sedation for inguinal hernia surgery in infants-A prospective evaluation of an alternative anesthesia technique.
Inguinal hernia repair is the most common operation in infants, with well recognized anesthetic and perioperative risks. The aim was to investigate if the combination of caudal block, high-flow nasal oxygen insufflation and intravenous dexmedetomidine sedation is suitable for infants undergoing inguinal hernia surgery. ⋯ Caudal block, high-flow nasal oxygen insufflation and intravenous dexmedetomidine sedation is a potential alternative to general anesthesia for infant inguinal hernia surgery with a low rate of complications in this small cohort of infants.
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Paediatric anaesthesia · Feb 2025
ReviewDesign considerations for development of cuffed endotracheal tube for small airways.
Endotracheal tubes (ETTs) are life-supporting devices that are designed to maintain a patent airway in patients who are unable to sustain an airway due to illness or injury. Patients with small airways, such as neonates and pediatrics, have unique structural and functional features, making it essential that ETT design considers and executes on these particular needs. Though uncuffed ETTs have historically been preferred for patients younger than eight years of age, advances in cuffed ETT design and construction can be utilized to manufacture ETTs that are optimized for the smallest, most fragile airways. The purpose of this article is to discuss certain design features of cuffed ETTs in respect to small airways.